At this point, graduation is about five weeks away. It seems like everyone you talk to or is in your classes knows exactly what they are doing after graduation. Whether it is grad school or a job or internship, it seems like the majority of people have life after graduation figured out.
But then there is you. You have probably applied to numerous jobs and grad school programs. Maybe even interviewed and thought you had a position in the bag only to find out that they decided to go with someone else. You are probably tired of receiving those cordial emails that inform you that the position has been filled. No matter how hard you have tried or how many applications you have sent off, it seems like nothing is working out.
Getting rejected from a position that you really wanted or a grad program that you were dying to get into can be rather disheartening. You have just worked your butt off for 4 years and now you don’t know what you are going to do with the rest of your life. And you know what, that is OK. Not everyone has life after graduation figured out. Graduating from college doesn’t mean that you immediately jump into your top position or program. Life doesn’t always just work out perfectly. Yes, a lot of people have great jobs or programs already. But not everyone does. That doesn’t mean you are less valued or not as good of a person. It just means your door hasn’t been opened yet.
Don’t be discouraged by the emails or letters. Persevere. Keep applying to every position you can find or grad program that is still open. Visit your school's career center. Look around on LinkedIn. Apply to anything and everything that seems interesting. Maybe you’ll get an offer from a company or school that you weren’t expecting. Maybe you’ll end up in an entirely different field than you had planned. Maybe, just maybe, you’ll end up loving it. You are not expected to know exactly what you want to do with your life. Try a job that you didn’t expect. Accept that offer to that school that wasn’t your number one choice. Just know that the right door will be opened at the right time. Don’t lose hope or faith. Trust that everything will work out.
